RANKED: Every character in 'Rogue One' from best to worst

The first-ever “Star Wars” standalone movie, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” has finally hit theaters, so it's time to analyze the heck out of it. That includes everything from catching all the references to past movies, TV series, and novels in the franchise to delving into the footage we saw in the trailers but didn’t end up in the finished film.

Then there’s the characters themselves.

There are a lot of brand new ones, like the movie’s lead Jyn Erso (played by Felicity Jones), while others have been brought back through the magic of CGI (and footage not used in “Star Wars: A New Hope”).

30. Senators Vaspar, Jebel, Pamlo

Lucasfilm

When these three members of the Imperial Senate catch wind that the Empire has constructed the planet-destroying Death Star, they are the loudest voices in the room that the rebels should run and hide. Thankfully, Jyn and her Rogue One mates have other plans.

29. General Dodonna

A scene from "Star Wars: A New Hope."Lucasfilm

More prominent in "Star Wars: A New Hope," Dodonna mostly stays in the background in this movie, but it's another piece of detail director Gareth Edwards uses to link this movie to the original "Star Wars."

28. Saw Gerrera

Lucasfilm

There's obviously more to Saw Gerrera than what we see in the finished movie (note Forest Whitaker's bald head in some trailers and his character having hair in the movie), but judging on the few scenes with him in the final cut there wasn't much to take in. Frankly, his portion of the movie is where the movie drags.

27. Lyra Erso

Lucasfilm

Jyn's mom, Lyra, gives her the kyber crystal. Not just a keepsake to remember her by, it's also what powers light sabers and the weapon on the Death Star. Outside of that we don't get much from Lyra as she's shot down by Death Troopers soon after.

26. General Draven

Lucasfilm

Responsible for breaking Jyn out of the labor camp she's at in the beginning of the movie, Draven is one of those characters whose task is to push the plot along as he's also present when Jyn gets her orders to steal the Death Star plans.

25. Princess Leia

A scene from "Star Wars: A New Hope."Lucasfilm

Leia is one of two human characters who appears in CGI form in the movie, portraying a version of actress Carrie Fisher at the age she was when filming "Star Wars: A New Hope" in 1977. Her appearance is brief and used to connect "Rogue One" and "A New Hope," but the CG Leia (like the other character, more on him later) is an acquired taste.

24. Mon Mothma

Disney/Lucasfilm

In "Rogue One," Mon is in the early days as leader of the rebels during the Galactic Civil War. Actress Genevieve O'Reilly, who also played the role in "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith," is a steady hand in the few scenes she has.

23. C-3PO & R2-D2

A scene from "Star Wars: A New Hope."Lucasfilm

The duo pop up in the movie on the rebel base as the rebellion goes to help Rogue One. Once more connecting the movie to "A New Hope," it might have been better if their scene was on Leia's ship (how the heck did they get on it?).

22. Moroff

Lucasfilm

Blink and you might have missed this large mercenary who is part of Saw Gerrera's rebel cell, but he is one of those fringe characters that I want to know so much more about.

21. Bail Organa

Lucasfilm

Jimmy Smits returns to play the Senator of the Alderaan section, who, in the prequels, takes baby Leia after she's born. Here, he's doing his part for the rebellion, being a close confidant to Mon Mothma, who suggests he get in touch with Obi-Wan Kenobi for help.

20. Ponda Baba & Dr. Cornelius Evazan

A scene from "Star Wars: A New Hope."Lucasfilm

The two wanted men who mess with the wrong farm boy in "A New Hope" almost get into a tussle with Jyn in "Rogue One." Thankfully for them, Jyn is busy trying to destroy the Empire.

19. Bistan (aka “Space Monkey”)

Lucasfilm

Though he was one of the standout new creatures shown at "Star Wars Celebration" earlier this year (given the name "Space Monkey" on the internet), there's sadly not much of Bistan featured in the movie. His appearance on Scarif is very brief.

18. Weeteef Cyubee

Lucasfilm

Played by "Star Wars" regular Warwick Davis, Weeteef is another member of Saw Gerrera's team and plays a major part in a scene where they do a surprise attack on an Empire tank squad.

17. General Merrick

Lucasfilm

The leader of the Blue Squadron of X-Wing fighters at the end of "Rogue One," he goes out in a blaze of glory.

16. Pao

Lucasfilm

When Jyn needed to form a team for her sneak attack on the planet Scarif at the end of "Rogue One," this rebel fighter was quick to stand up. He's one of the fiercest fighters once they touch down on the planet.

15. Galen Erso

Lucasfilm

Jyn's father is the leading scientist in the development of the Death Star's weapon and is the one responsible for the flaw the rebels use to destroy it in "A New Hope." Actor Mads Mikkelsen is his usual brooding self as he plays a man filled with grief.

14. Red Leader and Gold Leader from "A New Hope"

Scenes from "Star Wars: A New Hope."Lucasfilm

One of the biggest surprises of "Rogue One" is the appearance of Red Leader, Garven Dreis, and Gold Leader, Jon Vander. Know for their involvement on the attack of the Death Star in "A New Hope," in "Rogue One" some footage of the two that wasn't used in "A New Hope" is placed into scenes of the rebels' attack on Scarif.

13. Grand Moff Tarkin

A scene from "Star Wars: A New Hope."Lucasfilm

The most polarizing figure in "Rogue One," Grand Moff Tarkin (like Princess Leia) is shown on screen in CGI form. While it can be a shock to see the character again — actor Peter Cushing, who played him in "A New Hope" in 1977, died in 1994 — what's more shocking is the amount of screen time the character gets. At times very distracting, there is a purpose for him to be there as it reveals the power struggle he has with Orson Krennic over control of the Death Star.

12. The guy at Darth Vader’s castle

Lucasfilm

He only shows up briefly in the movie, but the caretaker (let's say) of Darth Vader's castle is so creepy and weird I want to know so much more about him.

11. Admiral Raddus

Lucasfilm

The leader of the rebellion squad that comes to take on the Empire once Rogue One heads to Scarif is brash, aggressive, and a lot of fun to watch.

10. Bodhi Rook

Lucasfilm

Actor Riz Ahmed brings a unique character to the "Star Wars" franchise. A defector of the Empire who brings the rebels a message from Galen Erso, his character doesn't really get to shine until the end. But he certainly leaves an impression.

9. Death Troopers

Lucasfilm

This intimidating elite division of stormtroopers are so cool we'll never see them again. The toughest thing about "Rogue One" are the new elements to the saga that we know can never continue on (it would be kind of weird if suddenly something pre-"Episode IV" showed up in "Episode VIII"). The Death Troopers are the biggest casualty.

8. Edrio “Two Tubes”

Lucasfilm

There's always a character who doesn't get enough screen time in a "Star Wars" movie, and Edrio “Two Tubes” is certainly one of them. The mercenary pilot, a part of Saw Gerrera's crew, is an intimidating figure that could have countless cool storylines.

7. Baze Malbus

Lucasfilm

A freelance assassin when we first meet him with his partner Chirrut Îmwe, it's getting involved with Jyn that gives Baze his life purpose again. Actor Wein Jiang makes the character a perfect straight man to Chirrut.

6. Orson Krennic

Disney/Lucasfilm

Though he's not the most sinister villain we've seen in the "Star Wars" saga, Orson still gives a worthy evilness. Actor Ben Mendelsohn plays the part perfectly in a tone that is scary when restrained and entertainingly terrifying when unleashing his rage.

5. Cassian Andor

Lucasfilm

The rebel soldier who has been collecting intel about the creation of the Death Star, Cassian teams up with Jyn on her mission. Actor Diego Luna brings great intensity to the role and is a solid addition to the saga.

4. K-2SO

Lucasfilm

One of the biggest highlights of the movie is this reprogrammed Imperial security droid. Now with the rebels, K-2SO (voiced by Alan Tudyk) is full of funny one-liners and would really like a blaster to get in on the action.

3. Jyn Erso

Disney/Lucasfilm

The troubled girl who has spent her life rebelling finally finds what she was meant to do when she's snatched up by the rebels. Actress Felicity Jones gives an impressive performance as the film's lead, giving the character many layers and complexities.

2. Darth Vader

Lucasfilm

There's so much to love about Vader in "Rogue One." From seeing his castle on the same planet where Anakin Skywalker basically became the Sith Lord to his chilling attempt to retrieve the Death Star plans at the end of the movie, his time on screen is used perfectly.

1. Chirrut Îmwe

Lucasfilm

Out of all the characters in "Rogue One," this is the one that leaves a huge impression when you leave the theater. The blind Chirrut is a true believer in the Force, though it's hard to tell if he has any signs of it within him. The scene where he tries to open a prison door using the force is both heartbreaking and captivating. And played by Chinese action star Donnie Yen, he shows off incredible fighting moves. But perhaps his greatest quality is the comedy Chirrut brings to the movie, as he's part of a great back-and-forth with his partner Baze Malbus.

We're really not going to see Chirrut ever again?

Honorable Mention: The Death Star

Disney/Lucasfilm

One of the hallmarks of the "Star Wars" franchise, the Death Star is in full glory in "Rogue One." Along with the interiors matching perfectly with its 1977 version, the power of the machine is used with a horrific "final say" quality to great effect.